Mick Gatto chases property deal debt for Carlton champion Peter Bosustow

MICK Gatto has confronted a property developer about a debt allegedly owed to a ­former Carlton footballer.

Melbourne gangland crime figure Mick Gatto at an interview on his autobiography book "I, Mick Gatto". Mick Gatto at one of his favourite restaurants Via Veneto.

MICK Gatto has confronted a property developer about a debt allegedly owed to a ­former Carlton footballer.

Peter “The Buzz” Bosustow hired a debt collection company linked to Mr Gatto to chase more than $500,000 the former footballer says he is owed in a property deal gone wrong.

The developer has made a complaint to Western Australia police about the “stand- over tactics” of Gatto Corporate Solutions — a company linked to but not owned by Mr Gatto.

The complaint was investigated but dismissed as a civil matter.

Mr Bosustow told the Sunday Herald Sun he had lost his home, was forced to sell his 1981 premiership jumper and hawk his precious Carlton memorabilia to stay financially afloat after an $80 million deal for a residential estate in Perth went sour.

Mr Bosustow said he had put his financial existence in the hands of Mr Gatto after a legal battle lasting over a decade with Perth developer Darren Taggart had not produced an outcome.

“Mick did tell us a debt is always there until you pay it, which put us at ease,” Mr Bosustow told the Sunday Herald Sun.

Representatives from Gatto Corporate Solutions visited the developer’s home in a plush suburb of Perth last December and in June to confront him over the debt.

AFL legend Peter Busostow says he’s lost his house in a multi-million property deal that went bad. .Picture Theo Fakos

Mr Bosustow and his two business partners had a further discussion with Mr Taggart outside his home in June.

Mr Taggart has denied he owes the trio any money.

He said the two visits to his home were unannounced.

He has previously claimed the contract between Mr ­Bosustow’s company and his was legally voided after they “miserably failed” to find ­finance for the Glenariff ­Estate, which sits in Canning Vale, an expanding suburb 18km south of Perth.

Mr Bosustow and his partners deny that claim.

The 1981 winner of footy’s mark of the year said he knew Mr Gatto from the Carltonian fan club and was first introduced to the underworld figure by slain Lygon Street identity Alphonse Gangitano.

He said Gatto Corporate Solutions had handled the issue for him in a professional manner.

Mr Gatto said he did not want to comment.

Gatto Corporate Solutions director Anthony Swords said it was a sad to see Mr ­Bosustow on the brink of financial collapse.

Mr Swords, who has been given permission to use Mr Gatto’s name for the debt collection company, said he would continue to chase the money Mr Bosustow insists he is owed until an outcome was reached.

[e-mail]